Service difficulty report · Drain Valve · Snias AS350B2

Difficulty date
July 28, 2011
Submitted
September 9, 2011
Operation
Air carrier
Make and model
Snias AS350B2
Aircraft time
10,134 hours
Engine
Tmeca ARRIEL1D1
Part
Drain Valve
Condition
Failed
Location
Engine Fuel
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
K

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

ENGINE START IS NORMAL AT THE BEGINNING, BUT T4 DROPS SUDDENLY AROUND 35 TO 47 PERCENT, AND THE START FAILS (INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHEN ACFT IS STARTED MORE THAN 1.5 TO 2 HRS AFTER LAST SHUTDOWN). DURING 30 SECOND BOOST-PUMP ON, BEFORE START, IT IS DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS NO FUEL RETURNING TO TANK (SELF-BLEEDING SYS) WHEN THE FAILURE HAPPENS. REPLACED START DRAIN VALVE WITHOUT SOLVING THE PROBLEM. THEN REPLACED START ELECTROVALVE PN 9550178290 AND DRAIN VALVE PN 0174126090. THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED, SO AT LEAST ONE OF THESE 2 IS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. IT HAS NOT BEEN POSSIBLE TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER WHICH ONE REALLY CAUSED THE PROBLEM. PARTS SENT FOR INVESTIGATION.